It’s said that a photograph is a story that can’t be put into words. The story of the Lake Macquarie National Exhibition of Digital Photography, though, can be put into words. It’s a national competition, organised by members of the Belmont 16s Photography Club, which began in 2016. It attracts more than 2000 entries. “It was started as a way of encouraging local photographers to experience the fun, challenge and satisfaction of competing in photographic competitions beyond their club,” exhibition chairman Roy Killen said. Roy said the competition provided an “opportunity for photographers to have their images judged by a panel of experienced photographers and to have their skills recognised in a formal way”. It also provided an incentive for amateur photographers to “strive to improve their skills in capturing and processing images”. The competition has a range of sections, including colour, monochrome, nature, travel and youth. “The images that score highly tend to be those that capture and hold the judges’ attention and those which show some imagination or originality,” Roy said. “Photography is a unique artform. The original creation usually takes just a fraction of a second. “Of course, in these days of digital photography, the artist may take anything from a few minutes to several hours to further enhance the image and transform it from captured reality to imaginative expression.” Entries close on September 2. Details at lakemacnat.myphotoclub.com.au. A new exhibition at Swansea will feature body bags, a mortuary table, funeral urns and samples of putty and fluid used in the embalming process. The exhibition, to open on Saturday, is fittingly named Dead and Buried. It examines the history of cemeteries in Lake Macquarie and the “colourful characters laid to rest within them”. The exhibition explores the burial customs of the Awabakal people before European settlement to modern-day funerals. Death is inevitable, but people often shy away from the subject, the council’s cultural manager Jacqui Hemsley said. “Dealt with in a respectful manner, an exhibition like this is interesting and informative,” Ms Hemsley said. The exhibition is in the Swansea Centre in a space named SEEN@Swansea. Very modern name, that. You’ve heard of choose-your-own-adventure books. But would you believe, there’s now a choose-your-own-adventure parenting game? Just in time for the gamer generation’s fertile years, researchers at the University of Newcastle have created a game for parents. It’s called Choose your Own Parenting Experience, which has the acronym COPE. Very modern name, that. It’s being promoted as a “fun, interactive, game-based experience”, designed to be played on a mobile phone. While the game is evidenced-based, the research team want to make sure it works for parents in the real world. They’re looking for parents to test the game, so they can improve it. We remember when gaming was all about Donkey Kong and Space Invaders. We have to wonder, what games will be around when the babies to benefit from this parenting game grow into teen-zombie gamers? Details at findlab.net.au/the-cope-study.

Entries open for national photo competition based in Lake Macquarie | IMAGES

The story of the Lake Macquarie National Exhibition of Digital Photography, though, can be put into words.

It’s a national competition, organised by members of the Belmont 16s Photography Club, which began in 2016. It attracts more than 2000 entries.

“It was started as a way of encouraging local photographers to experience the fun, challenge and satisfaction of competing in photographic competitions beyond their club,” exhibition chairman Roy Killen said.

Roy said the competition provided an “opportunity for photographers to have their images judged by a panel of experienced photographers and to have their skills recognised in a formal way”.

It also provided an incentive for amateur photographers to “strive to improve their skills in capturing and processing images”.

The competition has a range of sections, including colour, monochrome, nature, travel and youth.

“The images that score highly tend to be those that capture and hold the judges’ attention and those which show some imagination or originality,” Roy said.

“Photography is a unique artform. The original creation usually takes just a fraction of a second.

“Of course, in these days of digital photography, the artist may take anything from a few minutes to several hours to further enhance the image and transform it from captured reality to imaginative expression.”

Dead and Buried

A new exhibition at Swansea will feature body bags, a mortuary table, funeral urns and samples of putty and fluid used in the embalming process.

William Johnston’s sons at his grave in Barnsley in the 1890s.

The exhibition, to open on Saturday, is fittingly named Dead and Buried.

It examines the history of cemeteries in Lake Macquarie and the “colourful characters laid to rest within them”.

The exhibition explores the burial customs of the Awabakal people before European settlement to modern-day funerals.

Death is inevitable, but people often shy away from the subject, the council’s cultural manager Jacqui Hemsley said.

“Dealt with in a respectful manner, an exhibition like this is interesting and informative,” Ms Hemsley said.

The exhibition is in the Swansea Centre in a space named SEEN@Swansea. Very modern name, that.

Ahead of the Game

You’ve heard of choose-your-own-adventure books. But would you believe, there’s now a choose-your-own-adventure parenting game?

Just in time for the gamer generation’s fertile years, researchers at the University of Newcastle have created a game for parents.

It’s called Choose your Own Parenting Experience, which has the acronym COPE. Very modern name, that.

It’s being promoted as a “fun, interactive, game-based experience”, designed to be played on a mobile phone. While the game is evidenced-based, the research team want to make sure it works for parents in the real world. They’re looking for parents to test the game, so they can improve it.

We remember when gaming was all about Donkey Kong and Space Invaders. We have to wonder, what games will be around when the babies to benefit from this parenting game grow into teen-zombie gamers?